Machine for making roads



July 7, 1936. K. H. TALBOT ET AL MACHINE FOR MAKING ROADS '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q Filed July 29 ATTJRNEY Ju y K H. TAL'B T E'T'AL 046,417

4 V MACHINE FOR MAKING ROADS I Filed July 29, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 11v VENTUH 5 KENNEIHH TALBOTHNZ? g gzaflarz' a. THEE A TURNE'Y MAC no a Kenneth H. 'llalbot, Wauwatosa, waa, and

Theodore C. Thee, I" it ,N

ebr.

Application July 29, 1932, Serial No. 626,101

18 Claims.

Our invention relates to road making mechines, and it has for its object an improved construction of machine especially adapted in'the advancing movement of the machine, for the.col-

5 lection or gathering of the loose aggregate constituting the road making material previously deposited in windrows along the road bed, passing such material into the machine, and directly depositing it over a predetermined area of the road bed, in which position of deposit it is treated with a suitable binder and thoroughly agitated, to produce a homogeneous mixture of road-surfacing material. The collection or gathering of the aggregate, and the direct deposit of the same on the road bed, are effected without the use of devices for elevating the aggregate for an intermediatetreatment before deposit, as is customary in machines heretofore in use.

One object of our invention is the production of a road making machine of vehicular construction, such machine being equipped with a power plant by means of which the machine can be advanced under its own power during the performance of its several functions, or while being transported from place to place. Connections aremade between the power plant and the several auxilary operating mechanisms embodied in the vehicular construction, so that such auxiliary operating mechanisms are brought under the control of the operator of the machine, and thus made to perform their functions at the desired times.

A principal feature of our invention resides in the provision of a plurality of rotating agitators or stirrers, which engage the fragmentary material collected and directly deposited inthe advancing movement of the machine. Such deposit is accompanied by the application progressively of a liquid or semi-liquid binder of any suitable nature, preferably bitumen, which is applied in a quantity correctly proportioned to the mass of fragmentary material drawn into and deposited by the machine. During the application of the liquid binder to the deposited material, in theadvancing movement of the machine, the rotating agitators or stirrers perform their functions by mixing the mass, so that the binder fully lmpregnates the whole of the material. During the agitating or stirring operations, additional aggregate, usually finely comminuted, may be added to the materials being mixed, to effect a reduction of void spaces, thereby stabilizing the mixture.

We believe this particular process of collecting, directly depositing and mixing the aggregate material in the advancing movement of the road making machine, whereby elevation for treatment is obviated, to be wholly new.

In the foregoing, we have outlined the nature and purposes of our invention. In that which 5 now follows, we will describe the embodiments of the invention as disclosed in the drawings. In the appended claims, we will set out the features of novelty which reside therein.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing a road making machine constructed in accordance with our invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the same, looking from the left side of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a conventional showing in side elevation of the weighing belt.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing in plan a modified construction of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of the same, looking from the left side of the machine.

In the drawings, Figs. 1 and '2, the numeral It indicates themain frame, conveniently formed of channels, of a. motor propelled vehicle, supported on a rear axle H with traction wheels l2, l2, andfront steering wheels l3, IS, the latter being connected by the link it, for movement in unison, asis usual. The powerplant l5,whichismounted on the main frame It, serves to drive the power shaft 16, which is here shown as journalled 30 transversely in the frame l0. Connections, as sprocket chains l1, l1, between the power shaft l6 and the rear axle ll, transmit motion to the latter.

A sub-frame, shown as slightly narrower than the main frame ill, but not necessarily so, is arranged at the underside of the latter, and between the wheels l2, l3, at each side of the vehicle. The said sub-frame is composed of spaced, parallel channels 20, 20, joumalled conveniently at their rear ends on the rear axle'l l, and a cross bar 2 i, united to the front ends of the said channels. A transversely extending shaft 22, is journalled in the sub-frame near its front end, and carries ground wheels 23, 23, on its projecting ends, for supporting the sub-frame at that point. This manner of mounting the sub-frame will permil: its rear end to pivot on the axle l l and allow its front end to rise and fall independently of the main frame. The sub-frame is thus mounted to float with respect to the main frame, so that the forward end of the sub-frame may closely follow any irregularities in the contour of the road bed.

The cross bar 2| of the sub-frame, is provided 66 the weight of the material being passed into, the

to be actuated.

at its ends with brackets [24, inwhich are journalled the ends of a long shaft II; The latter forms the axis, of a rotatingcollector 28, in the form of a right-a'nd-left screw, terminating 5 at its mid-length, so as to gather in from both sides, the loom material of the aggregate, which had previously been deposited in windrows, parallel to the'path of the advancing movement of the machine, and draw such material to a central '10 point.

An apron 30, is attached to and depends from the cross bar ll of the sub-frame, the apron being curved on the radius of the screw 26, and having its lower edge extended'under the screw at or about the ground line, so as to functionas a shovel in the advancing movement of the machine, to scoop up any loose material which may not becollected by the screw and position it for engagement by-the rotating screw. Due to the,

0 above mentioned floating condition of the subframe, the apron 30 is free -to closely follow the contour of the road bed. An elongated opeping N, is provided in the apron 30, at the rear of the juncture of the screw portions. for the purpose of permitting the collected material to pass directly into the machine, for subsequent preparation and treatment.

After being passed through the opening 3| in the apron 30, the collected-material, instead of being devoted for intermediate treatment, may fall directly upon the'ground or road bed, or upon a flat platform, or it may fall upon a traveling weighing belt 32, of suitable width- The said belt is passed about rolls 3! and 34, Journalled in a frame 35. The roll 33 at the rear, is mounted 'on the sub-frame: but the roll 3|, is in suspension. The weighing belt 32, is driven through sprocket and chain connections 36, or other connections drawing power from the shaft l6.

A post or bracket 31 rises from the cross bar of the sub-frame,.and carries a dial or scale 38. The post or bracket also supports an oscillating shaft .39, carrying a pointer 40, movable over the dial or scale. A strap ll of spring steel, is attached at its lower end to the frame as of the weighing belt, and a coil at its upper end is wrapped about the shaft a. Material deposited upon the weighing belt will deflect the pointer it from its zero position, and indicate by its new position upon the dial or scale, whether the material then moving is passing into the machine with the necessary degree of uniformity asto quantity. ,The extent of the resistance of the coil of the strap of spring steel, todistension under machine, will be governed by its initial temper.

, The shaft 25 of the screw collector I l, may be driven by any suitable connections from the power shaft l6. As a means for conveniently doing this, we journals shaft 42, transversely upon the sub-frame, and connect it with the driving shaft I, through chain and sprocket connections. At its ends, the shaft 42 is provided with other sprockets, about which chains 43, pass, the latter-also engaging sprockets fixed uponthe screw shaft 25, near the ends of the latter. The

proportions of the several sprockets will be. in accordance with the desired R. P. M. 'of the parts.

From what has i been hereinbefore set forth, it willbe'seen that with the advancing movementof .the machine the material which is'to form the aggregate is collected and directly deposited in I a continuous stream under the machine, with probed, is obviated. This continuous deposit of over the same. The members 2| of the sub-frame vision for aseertainmentbyinspeetionofthedial.

orscale lmoi'thedegreeofev'ennessofthenm. Thus, elevation of the lmte for intermediate treatment before it is depmited p n the roadmaterial in the advancing movement of the machine, is attended by the application ,of a suitable binder, in liquid or semi-liquid form, and

preferably bitumen or a bituminous compound, which is sprayed over the material in a quantity l0 sufllcient to bringabout a thorough saturation and impregnation of the material, when the whole is subjected to the later mixing operation; We have shown conventionally, a tank 44, containing a reserve supply of a suitable liquid binder, with il a distributing and spraying duct 45, leading therefrom, and arranged to progresively flood the mass of deposited material. The spraying devicesmay have any suitable arrangement in the machine. But the binder may be as readily applied from a source independent of the machine. In hangers depending from the sub-frame, we journal a plurality of parallel, transversely'extending shafts 46, upon each of which is fixed a series of radially projecting arms-l1, formingthe agitators or mixers for the sprayed or saturated mass of material, in the progressive deposit of the latter. Five of such shafts are shown,.and each is provided with a considerablenumber of the agitators or mixers ll, of which latter, those on one shaft co-operate with those on the adjacent shaft. The best results are secured by rotating the shafts alternately in different directions, although good results are secured by rotating them in the same direction. Rotation of 3. the agitator shafts I! is effected by a suitable arrangement of sprocket and chain connections 48, or other connections, with the powershaft l6.

The deposit, now treated with the selected binder, is thoroughly mixed by the successive action of the several agitators or stirrers, as the latter engage with'the continuous stream of material collected and directly deposited by the machine, in the advancing movement of the latter. The'result is that while the machine is moving forward, every part of the material 001- Y .lected and deposited by the machine, and treated with a bituminous or other suitable binder, is subjected to repeated agitations and stirrings, so that, with the further forward movement of themachine, there is left on the road bed a continu ous body of proper prepa ed ass esate. eady to be spread and pressed'into its final form, after being cleared by the passage of the machine from 65 s pport depending sideboards ll, a, which act to prevent lateral spreading of the mass, and so confineitduringthemixingofthesame. The rear ends of the sideboards may be deflected inwardly, as shown, if desired, to give a mass movement to the mix. preparatory to the distribution and pressing of the same'in its flml position. .InFig's.4 and5,wehaveillustratedamodificaticn of the construction, in which the invention isinstalledinatractorofthecrawlertm.witb65 a simplification of the collecting or-gatherlng devices. A sub-frame II, is pivoted at its rear end as before, and supported at its front endon ground wheels ii, ll,which formthefront steerirgwheels. Thearrangementandoperationof' theagitatorsorstirrersisthesameashasbeen .described in'conneetionwith the construction showninl'igaljands. Inlieuoflthecollectuet-ewslthereintimateeireetiatereimove-T aoaasiv ment of the loose material into the line of action of the agitators or stirrers, we dispense with such lateral movement, and advance the machine. over a 'windrow of the material, so that such material is directly in line withthe agitators or stirrers, and after being sprayed or saturated with the binder, is thoroughly mixed, to condition it for final pressing into place. The dependingsideboards as, are flared outwardly at their front ends seat 62, to increase the range of collection and gathering of the material. Suitable connections for driving the agitators or stirrers will be made to the power shaft, and controlling clutches of any approved form will be arranged to permit the movable elements and speed control to be thrown into and. out of operation.

.The continuous handling of the materials in accordance with our practice, enables road construction work Ito be carried on most economiproportioning of the aggregate and the'binder.

by an automatic control of the feeding ratios. Practically, a constant stream of aggregate is fed into the front end of the machine, without diversion by elevation from its line of movement, deposited directly upon the road bed where the binder is applied, and the whole is thoroughly mixed. This progressive agitation takes place in the advancing movement of the machine, and the mix now emerges from the rear end of the machine, to then be spread and tainped or rolled into final position to form the road surface. By confining the mix from spreading laterally, a mixing chamber, open at its ends, is formed on the road bed, and at no time in the operation oi the machine, is the aggregate substantially di verteci from its contact with the road bed. Such diversion as may occur in passing the collected material through the opening iii of the apron 3i d onto the weighing belt 32, is not an elevation of the aggregate within the meaning of the terms employed in the art to which our invention pertains.

It has been previously stated that the best results are secured by rotating the transversely.

' arranged shafts d6 alternately in opposite directions. The efiects of such operation is that the materials being mixed are pushed rearwardly by the arms ii of the first shaft, forwardly by the arms of the second shaft, and so on, alternately, until the last shaft is reached, the action of which is to clear the mixture, from the agitators or stirrers. While there is a progressive movement of the mixture from front to rear, such movement is retarded by the contrary action of the arms ill on the alternate shafts, in the relative movement of the materials being mixed to the mixer. i

The introduction of additional aggregate, preferably comminuted asto form, to the materials during the mixing operation, for the purpose of effecting a reduction of the voids and imparting stability to the mixture, as before referred to, may be efiected in various ways. It may be introduced by hand at the proper moments, or it may be effected by mechanical devicesoperating automatically in proper timed cycles in relation to the operation of the machine as a whole. In Fig. 5, we have shown somewhat conuwtionally,

means for introducing additional aggregate, comprising a hopper 52 supported'on the sub frame 50, and adapted to receive a supply of additional aggregate, and pass the same onto the weighing belt 53, from which it will be transferred 5 for the intermixing operation by the agitators or stirrers, and thus improve the quality of the mixture. As stated, it is advantageous to mix the aggregate and the binder, to produce satura-- tion of the aggregate, and when this has been eiiected, to introduce into the mixture the additional aggregate of finer proportions. i

The construction of the machine is such that it will function while stationary, the aggregate and binder being supplied in the desired proportions in a continuous stream, the materials being progressively mixed in the forward and rearward movements of the mixture as the same passes through the machine, and discharged by the action of the arms er of the rear shaft 45. The results which we have pointed out as flowing from the use of our invention, follow the arrangement of the shafts M transversely to the direction of the relative movement of the mixture. In such machines as are known to us, the shafts have been parallel to such movement.

Having thus described our invention. what we claim anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: l.- The method of providing surfaces for roads, which consists in directly depositing upon the roadbed the material to form the aggregate in the line of advance of the mixer, applying a suitable binder to the material so deposited, while thus deposited progressively agitating or stirring the material and the binder in the advancing movement of the mixer, to condition the mix for road surfacing, and confining the material against unduespreading during the agitating or stirring process.

2. The method of providingsuriaces for roads, which consists in directly depositing upon the roadbed the material to form the aggregate in the line of advance of the mixer, applying a suitable binder to the material so deposited, while 45 thus deposited progressively agitating or stirringv the material and the binder in the advancing movement of the mixer, to condition the mix for road surfacing, confining the material against undue'spreading during the agitating or stirring 50 process, and pressing the mass into final position.

3. The method of providing surfaces for roads, which consists in collecting the material to form the aggregate and moving it laterally into the line of advance of the mixer, depositing the collected material directly upon the roadbed, applying a suitable binder to the material so deposited, and while thus deposited progressively agitating or stirring the material and the binder in the advancing movement of the mixer, to condition the mix for road surfacing.

4. The method of providing surfaces for roads, which consists in collecting the materia to form the aggregate and moving it laterally into the line of advance of the mixer, depositing the co.-

lected material directly upon the roadbed, ap-

travel of the machine, means for advancing the machine, and means carried by the machine for agitating or stirring the materialqforming the aggregate while thus deposited in the advancing movement ofthe machine, to condition the aggregate for road surfacing.

6. Inc. road making machine, means for depositing aggregate on a roadbed in the line of travel. of the machine, means for applying a binder to the said aggregate, and means carried by the said machine for agitating or stirring ag-- gregate and binder while thus deposited to condition the mix for road surfacing during the advancing movement of themachine.

7. A road making machine, comprising a power propelled vehicle, provided with means for collecting and depositing road making material ona roadbed in the path of travel of the machine, and means for agitating or stirring the material while thus deposited to condition it for road surfacing, both such means being operated in the advancing movement of "the machine.

8. A power liriven road making machine, provided with a series of agitators or stirrers for mixing a mass of road making material and a- .binder while said mass is resting upon the roadbed to condition the mix for road surfacing, with V means for actuating the said agitators or stirrers during the advancing movement of the machine.

9. A travelling road making machine having a power-actuated driving plant, means in the said machine for collecting road making material and depositing it-in the path of travel of the machine, "means for applying abinder to 'the said material, and rotating means in the machine for agitating or stirring the material and the binder while thus deposited to condition the mix for,

road surfacing, all of said means being operated V in the travel of the machine. I

10. A power driven road making niohine, provided with means for disposing a continuous supply of road making'materi al in the path of travel of 'the machine, and means for progressively agitating or stirring the said material while so disposed to condition 'it for road'surfacing, during ,the advancing movement of the machine;

11. A power driven road making machin'e,-providedwith for collecting anddepositing a continuous supply of road making material in the path of travel of the machine, and means for progressively agitating or stirring the said' material while thus deposited to condition it for road surfacing, during the advancingv movement of the machine. 1

12. A road making machine having a relatively wide mixing compartment extendinglongitudinaliy thereof, means for collecting and delivering \aggregate into the forward end of 'said ment, outlet means at the'rear end of said compartment permitting a continuous flow of 88 1 gate therethrough, means for supplying a binder to said aggregate, a plurality oLmeans rotatable about axes traversing said flow for thoroughly intermixing said aggregate and binder, and means for propellingsaid machine along a roadjbed, said several-means beingarranged to effect a continuous advance of said aggregate along a substantially straight course through the ma chine during an advance of the machine.-

V 13. A road making machine having a relatively wide flat'mixing compartment extending longi: tudinally thereof, means for propelling said machine, means for directing-aggregate into the forward end of said compartment during advance of I the machine, outlet means at the rear'of said substantially straight course through the ma chine during advance of the machine.-

14. A road making machine having a relatively wide flat mixing compartment, means for'supply n aggregate to one end of said compartment, outlet means at the opposite end of said compartment permitting a continuous now, of said aggregate therethrough, means 'for supplying a binder to said ag r ate, and alongitudinal succession of means traversing said new -i'or thoroughly intermixing said aggregate and'binder.

'15. A road making machine having a relatively wide mixing compartment, means for weighing aggregate and delivering the same continuously to one end of said compartment, outlet ;means at the opposite end of said compartment permitting a continuous passage of said aggre gate therethrough, and a succession of means in said compartment coacting to thoroughly mix thereon, a mixing compartment carried by said frame, means carried by said frame for collecting aggregate previously deposited on a roadbed and delivering the same to said compartment, said flotably mounted frame permitting said means to closely follow said roadbed, outletmeans for said compartment permitting a continuous passage. of, said aggregate through said compartment, and

power actuated means insaid compartment for mixing said aggregate during such passage.

18. A power driven road making machine, prosurfacing during the advancing movement of the machine.

. KENNETH H. TALBOT.

' I. C. THEE. 

